SEATTLE -- Booming growth in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood doesn't just mean more people, it means more dogs -- hundreds more. The City of Seattle is now looking at new options to let those pets run free.
Hundreds of new housing units and commercial buildings are dog-friendly, including businesses like Amazon. For example, Amazon lets employees bring their dogs to work.
Seattle's Park and Recreation estimates nearly 1,000 more dogs either live or work in South Lake Union. Now this community is asking the city to provide some off-leash dog areas.
To fill the void, the city is searching for a temporary spot while it looks for a permanent location. Three areas are up for consideration:
Cascade Park. There's part of this field would be fenced off, but there's some competing interests with a kick-ball league.
South Lake Union Park. This location would not be fenced in. Dogs could only run off-leash during certain times of the day.
Denny Park. There's a grassy patch that would be fenced in which some park users aren't to keen on. Some worry the dogs will tear up the park's landscape, especially at Denny Park.
"This is Seattle's first park. You know you hate to kind of change. I think it'd be fine to have a small section for dogs, wouldn't bother me," said Bill Poole, who walks through Denny Park.
"I really believe dogs bring people together. As corny as that sounds, people strike up conversations with each other. I think that could happen here, and I think it would bring a different life to the park," said Kate Macellari, dog walker.
Park commissioners will make their recommendation Thursday to the superintendent, who is expected to make a final decision of a temporary off-leash area.
South Lake Union isn't the only Seattle neighborhood looking for off-leash options. Queen Anne, Magnolia and Beacon Hill neighborhoods have off-leash projects underway slated to open next year.
To add a comment, please register or login.